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Easy Apple Crisp Bars with Oat Crumble Topping Recipe

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These Easy Apple Crisp Bars with Oat Crumble Topping are the perfect dessert for any occasion. With a buttery shortbread base, spiced apple filling, and crunchy oat crumble, they’re quick to make and always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and diced into 1/4-inch cubes (about 3 cups)
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cup (90g) rolled oats (old-fashioned)
  • 1/2 cup (65g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (60g) almond flour
  • 1/2 cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the long sides. Lightly grease the parchment with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Make the shortbread base: In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup softened butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes with a hand mixer). Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and mix. Gradually add 2 cups flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt, mixing until the dough comes together as coarse crumbs that hold together when pressed. Do not overmix.
  3. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan using the bottom of a flat measuring cup. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until the edges are just barely golden. Set aside to cool slightly.
  4. Prepare the apple filling: In a medium bowl, toss the diced apples with 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  5. Make the oat crumble topping: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup almond flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Pour 1/2 cup melted butter over the dry ingredients and stir with a fork until moistened and clumps form. Do not over-stir.
  6. Assemble the bars: Spread the apple mixture evenly over the pre-baked shortbread base. Sprinkle the oat crumble topping evenly over the apples, covering them completely. Do not press down.
  7. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the topping is deep golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges. If the topping browns too quickly, tent loosely with aluminum foil around the 25-minute mark.
  8. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 2 hours. Once cool, use the parchment overhang to lift the slab onto a cutting board. Slice into 24 squares.

Notes

Don’t skip the pre-bake of the shortbread base to prevent sogginess. Cut apples into even 1/4-inch cubes for uniform cooking. Use a metal pan for even browning. Cool completely before cutting for clean squares. Bars taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple crisp bars, oat crumble, easy dessert, apple bars, shortbread, fall dessert, brunch dessert

Find it online: https://oracooks.com/easy-apple-crisp-bars-with-oat-crumble-topping-recipe/